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Paper Leak Bill: Parliament is set to resume on Monday with a tougher anti-paper leak Bill proposing up to 10 years in jail, Rs 10 crore fines and fast-track trials.
The Parliament building in New Delhi during the Monsoon Session, where the Paper Leak Bill is scheduled to be introduced. (IMAGE: PTI FILE)
Paper Leak Bill: After an almost complete washout of the first week of the Monsoon Session amid a political standoff over the NEET paper leak controversy and the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Parliament is set to reconvene on Monday with a tougher anti-paper leak law at the top of the government’s legislative agenda.
The Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to significantly tighten punishments for offences related to paper leaks and examination malpractice. The Bill has been listed for both introduction and passage on Monday, subject to its introduction.
According to the proposed legislation circulated to Members of Parliament, individuals found guilty of paper leaks or other unfair means in public examinations could face imprisonment ranging from five to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh.
The Bill also proposes tougher punishment for organised examination fraud, prescribing a minimum jail term of seven years along with fines that may extend to Rs 10 crore.
In a bid to speed up prosecution, the proposed law mandates that investigations be completed within two months. It also directs states and Union Territories to establish fast-track courts, which will be required to conclude trials within three months of the filing of a chargesheet.
The legislation follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement that the Centre would bring in a stringent legal framework to tackle paper leaks and ensure time-bound trials of those responsible for compromising public examinations.
Parliament To Resume After Week Of Disruptions
The first week of the Monsoon Session witnessed repeated adjournments in both Houses as the opposition demanded the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue before agreeing to a discussion.
With Pradhan having since stepped down, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi was initially given additional charge of the Education Ministry before subsequent administrative changes.
Throughout the week, the government accused the opposition of attaching “pre-conditions” to discussions, while the opposition insisted that accountability over the paper leak controversy must precede any debate.
The disruptions meant that both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were largely unable to transact legislative business. In the Lok Sabha, Question Hour could not function for even 15 minutes across five sittings, while several listed items remained pending.
Other Bills On Monday’s Agenda
Besides the paper leak legislation, the Lok Sabha is also scheduled to take up the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to replace the ordinance increasing the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38. The ordinance must be replaced by an Act before the Monsoon Session concludes on August 13 to remain in force.
The House will also take up committee reports, ministerial statements and matters under Rule 377 as part of Monday’s listed business.
With Parliament returning after a week dominated by political confrontation, Monday’s proceedings are expected to test whether the government can finally push through its legislative agenda, beginning with the proposed overhaul of the law dealing with paper leaks and unfair means in public examinations.
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a chief sub editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has …Read More
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